It was far from a classic but battling Boro banked three precious points with a gritty and determined team display.

The first half was scrappy and low on quality and Boro had to labour away to claw into the lead.

After the break they had to slowly wrestle into the ascendancy before sealing it with a second and finishing with a swagger.

A string of candidates took turns to shine in a game where industry and endeavour trumped magic and skill so it was hard to single out individuals - but there were a few solo shows that stole the stars. Here’s how they were dished out.

*** - Britt Assombalonga

Boro’s record signing won the penalty and scored a goal to keep up his impressive one in two strike rate without really catching fire.

But those contributions aside, the frontman deserves praise for his 100 minutes of single-handed battle with the Reading defence.

He hustled and bustled and took kicks and clips during his personal war of attrition with the Royals and his relentless running rattled both the players and fans to end as the pantomime villain.